A nonlinear resistor is formed by forming side surface insulating layer 2 on a sintered body 1 which contains zinc oxide as a main component and providing a pair of electrodes 3 on upper and lower surfaces of the sintered body 1. The electrodes 3 are formed by plasma thermal spraying of less than 10 kW in an atmosphere in which an oxygen concentration is set to 22 volume % or less. The electrodes 3 are formed of aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, or their alloy whose average particle size is within 5 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m. Preferably porosity is less than 15%, weight percentage of metal oxide is less than 25%, average film thickness is within 5 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m, average surface roughness is less than 8 .mu.m, and resistivity is less than 15 .mu..OMEGA..multidot.cm. Accordingly, the nonlinear resistor having the excellent discharge withstand can be provided.